Kathy Kemp: Arriving late to the Facebook party

Mark Zuckerberg is the creator of Facebook. Was wasting time on his mind? (The Associated Press)

I've become a Facebook Fool, I'm happy to report.

When my friends were all signing on a year or so before me, they told me I was missing the boat on the best way to kill time since the invention of Solitaire.

"You'll find all your old friends from high school," one told me, prompting me to ponder, "Do I want to find all my old friends from high school?"

Another consideration, "Did I actually have any friends in high school?"

I pooh-poohed them, saying I didn't want to risk my personal security by posting about myself on the Internet. I did not want to learn to make those smiley faces. I thought everybody posted what they were eating for lunch. Such prejudice.

A few weeks ago, when I actually was looking for a way to pass the time, a friend got me back up and running on Facebook. I had already opened an account months ago, but didn't use it. Now I was ready, and for some reason, Facebook and I clicked, so to speak.

My work colleagues befriended me. I befriended them. I befriended cousins. I befriended the novelist I know. I have more than 180 friends, now that I know how to pilfer new friends from older ones.

For all the people who worry that Facebook and other social networking sites are causing a demise in real-life socializing, let me say this: On Facebook, I've been visiting with people I wouldn't otherwise get a chance to talk to much, including my best friend from childhood dancing school, Jeanie Martin, who lives in California.

I communicate more with my nieces and nephew and keep up with the goings-on in their lives (my nephew is in a battle with armadillos, for instance). My friends' postings are witty and clever, different enough to be entertaining.

It's clear, though, how one might get herself in trouble on Facebook. Never write, even if you think it's a private message (and it never is):

"My boss is a #$!#**!!!"

"This hangover is killer."

"Catching a flight 2nite for Rome. B there til tues!!!" (And by the way, I live at 000 Celine Dion Lane. Key's under the flower pot.)

"Cindi and I hooked up last nite. Here's our pics."

"See you at the skinhead party."

If you write that, CNN will report it.

Also, never post your birth year, and leave off month and day if you can help it. Your Social Security number isn't required here, either. We're not applying for Medicare. We just want to talk to our friends.

I've also been posting a lot of "whatcha doin?'s." That proves how often I have nothing to say, which begs the questions, "Does FB need me? Do I need FB?" We'll keep you posted.